FORMER Orange Ex-Services star Sam Hopwood is expecting a hostile reception from her old teammates when she takes the field on Saturday for Bathurst City.
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Hopwood left a sizable hole in Ex-Services’ midfield, and with the Orange side chasing its first win of the Premier League Hockey season, the 25-year-old knows her former teammates won’t need any extra motivation today.
“Those girls always come out determined,” Hopwood said.
“I’m sure they’ll be extra keen to get a win though.”
Hopwood, a NSW Country representative last year, changed allegiance during the off-season to play alongside state teammates at club level.
“I played with [Bathurst City’s] Andrea Seymour and Kelsey Willot in state last year, and really enjoyed it,” Hopwood said.
“They play a good brand of hockey, and I’m enjoying being a part of it.”
Hopwood missed City’s first two wins of the season, over Kinross-CYMS and Dubbo Blue Jays, while recovering from surgery and made her debut last weekend in her team’s 4-nil win over Bathurst Souths.
“It was great to get back on to the field,” she said.
“We need to go out this weekend and keep playing as a team, and most importantly enjoy it. Teams always play better when they enjoy it.”
Ex-Services take on Bathurst City at the Orange Hockey Centre, from 2.35pm.
CONFEDERATES and Kinross-CYMS need to win on Saturday.
Both Orange teams are winless after the first three rounds of Premier League Hockey, and are desperate for a victory.
After a winless 2013, and two losses and a draw so far this year, ’Feds will try to spark a resurgence with a win today over Parkes, in Parkes.
Play begins at 1.30pm.
After three losses, and the loss of four competition points, Kinross-CYMS enters today’s clash with Lithgow Zig-Zag looking to gain some consistency, and continuity.
Play starts at 1.10pm at Orange Hockey Centre.